Lynette Austin, Professor and Dean, College of Health Sciences
Jason Huddleston, Associate Dean and Director, School of Physician Assistant Studies
Chad Smith, Director, Cardiovascular Perfusion Studies
Meagan Spencer, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Matthew Ruiz, Professor and Chair, Department of Kinesiology
Chelsia Harris, Professor and Executive Director, School of Nursing
Autumn Marshall, Professor and Chair, Department of Nutrition
DeAndrea Witherspoon Nash, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science
Rebecca Clark, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Social Work and Sociology; Director, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Health Sciences (CoHS) seeks to train the next generation of health and wellness heroes! Whether you picture yourself as a nurse, physician assistant, dietitian, psychologist, speech-language pathologist, researcher, case manager, social worker, or therapist, we’ll help you prepare for a life of service and compassion. You’ll collaborate with peers across different disciplines as you learn to tackle the healthcare and wellness challenges of our time. Most importantly, you’ll be empowered to honor the God-given dignity of every human life through science, skill and understanding, regardless of your career path!
The College has a variety of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees dedicated to human health and well-being. We welcome students seeking purpose along with professional success!
We offer undergraduate studies in eight different areas: Communication Sciences and Disorders, Family Science, Kinesiology, Nursing, Nutrition, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology.
The CoHS provides exceptional graduate programs in six exciting and competitive areas: Cardiovascular Perfusion, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Professional Studies in Kinesiology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Nutrition with Dietetic Internship, and Physician Assistant studies. See details below.
If you are interested in a career in health care, Lipscomb is the place to start that journey.
Undergraduate Studies:
· The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers both a traditional in-person degree path, and an online leveling program designed to fill prerequisite credit gaps for graduate programs, allow for career-changers or non-degree related students to meet specific graduate school requirements. Both programs prepare students to work as speech-language pathology assistants, or to matriculate into graduate programs in speech-language pathology or audiology.
· The Department of Kinesiology offers a variety of degree plans and programs, including program tracks for Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, and Pre-Physician Assistant studies within the Exercise Science major, as well as majors in Sport Medicine, Fitness and Sports Studies, including a Strength & Conditioning track, and Sport Management.
· The Department of Nutrition offers an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) with opportunities for field experience in nutrition education, community nutrition, and food systems management.
· The School of Nursing offers an accredited traditional undergraduate Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree pathway that prepares students for careers in healthcare as registered nurses, upon successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in accordance with applicable state licensing requirements. The School also offers an accredited Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway for individuals who already hold degrees in other fields and wish to transition to nursing; the ABSN can be completed in 16 months.
· The Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science provides programs of study in Family Sciences (with tracks in Child and Family Services; Child and Family Spiritual Formation, Family Life Education, and Mental Health Professions), Psychology (with minors in Neuropsychology and Psychology for Health Professionals), and online Psychology (Lipscomb Online). Students in these programs regularly engage in internship experiences.
· The Department of Social Work and Sociology provides an accredited program of study in Social Work (BSW), including 450 hours of supervised practicum experience within Nashville and surrounding area agencies and organizations. The department also offers minors in Social Justice and Sociology.
Graduate and Professional Studies:
The College of Health Sciences offers the following graduate program options: (see the Lipscomb University Graduate Catalog for more information.)
· Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion Program (60 hours) This is a 22-month continuous program with two semesters of didactic education on campus and three semesters of supervised clinical rotations.
· Master of Science in Exercise and Human Performance (36 hours) master’s degree program. The program also offers 3 online graduate certificates (each 12 hours) in Exercise Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, and Sport and Exercise Nutrition, preparing students for certifications via examination (ACSM, NSCA, ISSN). These certificates together may “stack” into a Master in Professional Studies in Kinesiology degree.
- School of Nursing: For professionals (Nurses in practice), the Lipscomb School of Nursing offers credentials through the Emerging and Advancing Nurse Leaders programs
· Master of Physician Assistant Studies (124 hours) a 7 semester program that runs year-round. It includes 4 semesters of didactic education and 3 semesters of clinical education.
· Master of Science in Nutrition (33 hours) The degree program may stand alone or be combined with the Dietetic Internship Program for students who are selected to enroll in the combined program. The combined MS/DI is an accredited Dietetic Internship Program (DIP), providing both the coursework and the supervised practice needed to be eligible to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians.
· Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (61 hours) Prepares students to seek licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation in Tennessee.
· Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (60 hours) Prepares students to seek licensure as a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in Tennessee.